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Thursday, 20 December 2012

India test-fires nuclear capable missile

India successfully test-fired Prithvi-II, a nuclear capable missile with a strike range of 350 kilometres, on Thursday, the Press Trust of India reported.The surface-to-surface missile was test-fired from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore (Odisha). The locally developed missile was test-fired “from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range”, the IBNLive reported on its website. India has been developing a range of missiles to strengthen its defence capability, including the short-range Prithvi ballistic missile, the medium-range Agni and Akash missiles, the anti-tank Nag, and the supersonic Brahmos missile, developed jointly with Russia. India’s missiles are mostly intended for any confrontation with neighbouring Pakistan. Thursday’s test was unlikely to aggravate tensions between India and Pakistan as both countries routinely conduct missile tests. The countries normally inform each other before carrying out long-distance missile tests. It was not immediately clear if Pakistan had been informed about Thursday’s test.